MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS ON KING HUSSEIN'S MARRIAGE -- FOR CLEARANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-29-3-34-9
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: December 22, 1972
• Content Type: MEMO

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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-29-3-34-9 -~
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STAFF.. APP'
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NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL /ACTION 8655
NTIAL (GDS) Aecexnber 22, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: DR. KISSINGER
FROM: HAROLD H. SAUNDERS
SUBJECT:
Message of Congratulations on King Hussein's
Marriage -.. For Clearance
King Hussein is expected to marry Miss Alia Touqan on December 24
at a private ceremony in Amman. She is the daughter of a Jordanian
Ambassador but because of her modern ways the marriage has stirred
dispute. he King has and will designate his new
wife "queen. upposition to the marriage among key figures in Amman
has subsided somewhat, and in any case the King is determined to go
ahead. Nevertheless, it is a controversial step.
State Department is asking for authorization to cable the following text
of a message from the President to King Hussein for delivery by
Ambassador Brown when the official Jordanian announcement of the
marriage is made in Amman:
"Your Majesty: Please accept my warm congratulations
on your marriage and best wishes to you and your bride
for future happiness and good health. Sincerely, Richard Nixon"
Recommendation: That the above message be authorized for delivery
by Ambassador Brown when the official Jordanian announcement is made.
[Text has been cleared by Ray Price. ]
( App rove
C DS)
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CONFIDENTIAL/EXDIS
December 21, 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. HENRY A. KISSINGER
THE WHITE HOUSE
Subject: Message of Congratulations on
King Hussein's Marriage
We have been informed by our Embassy in Amman
that King Hussein is expected to marry Miss Alia Touqan
on December 24 at a private ceremony in Amman.
It is anticipated that King Hussein will divorce
his present wife, Princess Muna (the former Antoinette
Gardiner), but whether the divorce will take place
before or after the King's marriage to Miss Touqan is
not yet known (four wives are permitted under Moslem
law). This marriage has stirred dispute in Jordan,
both because Princess Muna is a respected figure and
because Miss Touqan has had a modern upbringing by
conservative Moslem standards and is from a Palestinian
family. However, it appears that most of those who at
first actively opposed the marriage have now acquiesced
in it, albeit reluctantly in some cases.
Ambassador Brown suggests that a brief message of
congratulations be sent King Hussein by the President
once official announcement regarding the marriage is
....made. Since it is not known exactly when this will be,
we recommend that the Department be authorized to cable
the President's message to Ambassador Brown for delivery
when official Jordanian announcement of the marriage is
made in Amman. In view of the still somewhat contro-
versial nature of the marriage and the privacy in which
the ceremony is being held, it is recommended that the
message be brief and warm but not demonstrative. A
suggested text is attached.
CONFIDENTIAL/EXDIS
GDS--DECLAS Dec. 31, 1978
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CONFIDENTIAL/EXDIS 2
We recommend that the President's message not be
released to the press unless it is released by Jordanian
authorities.
Theodore L. Eliot, Jr.
Executive Secretary
Suggested congratulatory message
CONFIDENTIAL/EXDIS
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CONFIDENTIAL
. IMMEDIATE AMMAN
EXDIS
SUBJ: MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS ON KING HUSSEIN'S
MARRIAGE
1. FOLLOWING SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO PALACE UPON OFFICIAL
GOJ ANNOUNCEMENT OF KING'S MARRIAGE. QUOTE:
YOUR MAJESTY: PLEASE ACCEPT MY WARM CONGRATULATIONS ON
YOUR MARRIAGE AND BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR BRIDE FOR.
FUTURE HAPPINESS AND GOOD HEALTH. SINCERELY, RICHARD NIXON
END QUOTE.
2. WHITE HOUSE DOES NOT PLAN RELEASE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
UNLESS IT IS PUBLISHED BY JORDANIAN U%AUTHORITIES.
3. DECLASSIFICATION. GDS. YY
CONFIDENTIAL
No Objection to Declassification in Part 2011/09/29: LOC-HAK-29-3-34-9